Here's the tea, being a mom is absolutely wild. But you know what's even crazier? Attempting to earn extra income while dealing with kids, laundry, and approximately 47 snack requests per day.
My hustle life began about several years ago when I figured out that my impulse buys were reaching dangerous levels. I had to find cash that was actually mine.
Virtual Assistant Hustle
Right so, I kicked things off was doing VA work. And I'll be real? It was perfect. It let me hustle while the kids slept, and literally all it took was a computer and internet.
I started with basic stuff like email management, scheduling social media posts, and basic admin work. Nothing fancy. I charged about fifteen dollars an hour, which felt cheap but when you don't know what you're doing yet, you gotta prove yourself first.
Honestly the most hilarious thing? There I was on a video meeting looking like a real businesswoman from the waist up—business casual vibes—while rocking sweatpants. Main character energy.
The Etsy Shop Adventure
About twelve months in, I ventured into the selling on Etsy. Literally everyone seemed to sell stuff on Etsy, so I was like "why not me?"
I created making digital planners and digital art prints. What's great about digital products? Design it once, and it can make money while you sleep. Literally, I've gotten orders at times when I didn't even know.
That initial sale? I freaked out completely. My husband thought I'd injured myself. Nope—I was just, cheering about my $4.99 sale. I'm not embarrassed.
The Content Creation Grind
Next I ventured into creating content online. This hustle is playing the long game, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it.
I launched a parenting blog where I shared the chaos of parenting—the good, the bad, and the ugly. None of that Pinterest-perfect life. Simply real talk about the time my kid decorated the walls with Nutella.
Growing an audience was like watching paint dry. Initially, I was essentially writing for myself and like three people. But I kept at it, and over time, things began working.
These days? I generate revenue through affiliate links, working with brands, and ad revenue. This past month I made over $2,000 from my website. Mind-blowing, right?
SMM Side Hustle
After I learned running my own socials, local businesses started inquiring if I could do the same for them.
Here's the thing? Most small businesses suck at social media. They know they have to be on it, but they don't have time.
This is my moment. I currently run social media for a handful of clients—a bakery, a boutique, and a fitness studio. I create content, schedule posts, handle community management, and monitor performance.
My rate is between $500-$1500/month per business, depending on the scope of work. Here's what's great? I do this work from my iPhone.
The Freelance Writing Hustle
For the wordy folks, content writing is incredibly lucrative. This isn't becoming Shakespeare—I'm talking about content writing for businesses.
Brands and websites need content constantly. My assignments have included everything from subjects I knew nothing about before Googling. You just need to research, you just need to be able to learn quickly.
Generally bill $50-150 per article, depending on how complex it is. When I'm hustling hard I'll crank out a dozen articles and earn one to two thousand extra.
What's hilarious: Back in school I barely passed English class. These days I'm getting paid for it. Life's funny like that.
The Online Tutoring Thing
After lockdown started, virtual tutoring became huge. With my teaching background, so this was perfect for me.
I joined a couple of online tutoring sites. You make your own schedule, which is essential when you have tiny humans who throw curveballs daily.
I mainly help with elementary school stuff. Rates vary from fifteen to twenty-five hourly depending on the platform.
The funny thing? Occasionally my own kids will crash my tutoring session mid-session. I've literally had to maintain composure during complete chaos in the background. Other parents are very sympathetic because they're living the same life.
The Reselling Game
Here me out, this particular venture started by accident. I was cleaning out my kids' closet and put some things on copyright.
Items moved instantly. I had an epiphany: people will buy anything.
Now I visit thrift stores, garage sales, and clearance sections, on the hunt for name brands. I'll find something for three bucks and flip it for thirty.
It's definitely work? Absolutely. There's photographing, listing, and shipping. But there's something satisfying about discovering a diamond in the rough at the thrift store and making money.
Also: my kids are impressed when I find unique items. Just last week I scored a vintage toy that my son absolutely loved. Flipped it for forty-five bucks. Mom for the win.
Real Talk Time
Let me keep it real: side hustles aren't passive income. It's called hustling because you're hustling.
Certain days when I'm surviving on caffeine and spite, questioning my life choices. I'm up at 5am getting stuff done while it's quiet, then being a full-time parent, then back at it after bedtime.
But here's the thing? These are my earnings. No permission needed to splurge on something nice. I'm adding to our financial goals. I'm teaching my children that moms can do anything.
Advice for New Mom Hustlers
For those contemplating a side hustle, here are my tips:
Start with one thing. Don't try to do everything at once. Pick one thing and nail it down before starting something else.
Use the time you have. Whatever time you have, that's okay. Even one focused hour is valuable.
Avoid comparing yourself to Instagram moms. The successful ones you see? She probably started years ago and has support. Focus on your own journey.
Don't be afraid to invest, but carefully. You don't need expensive courses. Be careful about spending huge money on programs until you've proven the concept.
Work in batches. I learned this the hard way. Use certain times for certain work. Monday might be making stuff day. Wednesday might be organizing and responding.
The Mom Guilt is Real
I have to be real with you—I struggle with guilt. There are times when I'm working and my kid wants attention, and I feel terrible.
But I remember that I'm showing them that hard work matters. I'm showing my daughter that women can be mothers and entrepreneurs.
Additionally? Making my own money has been good for me. I'm more content, which helps me be better.
Let's Talk Money
The real numbers? Typically, combining everything, I bring in between three and five grand. Certain months are higher, others are slower.
Will this make you wealthy? Nope. But I've used it for so many things we needed that would've been really hard. It's building my skills and experience that could grow into more.
Wrapping This Up
Listen, being a mom with a side hustle is challenging. It's not a perfect balance. Many days I'm flying by the seat of my pants, running on coffee and determination, and praying it all works out.
But I'm glad I'm doing this. Each bit of income is proof that I can do hard things. It demonstrates that I'm not just someone's mother.
If you're thinking about launching a mom business? Do it. Start before it's perfect. Your tomorrow self will thank you.
Don't forget: You aren't only getting by—you're building something. Even though there's probably mysterious crumbs stuck to your laptop.
For real. This is pretty amazing, chaos and all.
My Content Creator Journey: My Journey as a Single Mom
Here's the truth—single motherhood was never the plan. Nor was turning into an influencer. But fast forward to now, years into this crazy ride, paying bills by being vulnerable on the internet while doing this mom thing solo. And I'll be real? It's been the most terrifying, empowering, and unexpected blessing of my life.
The Beginning: When Everything Imploded
It was 2022 when my divorce happened. I can still picture sitting in my half-empty apartment (I kept the kids' stuff, he took everything else), staring at my phone at 2am while my kids were asleep. I had eight hundred forty-seven dollars in my account, two mouths to feed, and a income that didn't cut it. The panic was real, y'all.
I'd been scrolling TikTok to escape reality—because that's how we cope? when our lives are falling apart, right?—when I came across this solo parent talking about how she made six figures through content creation. I remember thinking, "No way that's legit."
But being broke makes you bold. Or crazy. Often both.
I grabbed the TikTok creator app the next morning. My first video? Me, no makeup, messy bun, venting about how I'd just blown my final $12 on a frozen nuggets and juice boxes for my kids' lunch boxes. I shared it and felt sick. Who gives a damn about my broke reality?
Spoiler alert, tons of people.
That video got 47K views. Nearly fifty thousand people watched me breakdown over frozen nuggets. The comments section turned into this validation fest—people who got it, other people struggling, all saying "this is my life." That was my aha moment. People didn't want filtered content. They wanted raw.
Finding My Niche: The Hot Mess Single Mom Brand
Here's the secret about content creation: niche is crucial. And my niche? It happened organically. I became the mom who tells the truth.
I started sharing the stuff people hide. Like how I wore the same leggings all week because executive dysfunction is real. Or the time I let them eat Lucky Charms for dinner all week and called it "breakfast for dinner week." Or that moment when my daughter asked about the divorce, and I had to discuss divorce to a kid who thinks the tooth fairy is real.
My content was rough. My lighting was awful. I filmed on a phone with a broken screen. But it was unfiltered, and apparently, that's what resonated.
After sixty days, I hit 10K. Three months later, 50K. By six months, I'd crossed 100,000. Each milestone blew my mind. Actual humans who wanted to follow me. Little old me—a struggling single mom who had to ask Google what this meant recently.
A Day in the Life: Content Creation Meets Real Life
Here's the reality of my typical day, because creating content solo is not at all like those perfect "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm screams. I do not want to move, but this is my precious quiet time. I make coffee that I'll forget about, and I start filming. Sometimes it's a get-ready-with-me talking about budgeting. Sometimes it's me cooking while sharing dealing with my ex. The lighting is whatever I can get.
7:00am: Kids wake up. Content creation stops. Now I'm in parent mode—pouring cereal, finding the missing shoe (it's always one shoe), packing lunches, stopping fights. The chaos is overwhelming.
8:30am: Carpool line. I'm that mom creating content in traffic at red lights. Don't judge me, but the grind never stops.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my productive time. Kids are at school. I'm editing content, being social, brainstorming content ideas, sending emails, analyzing metrics. They believe content creation is just making TikToks. Nope. It's a real job.
I usually create multiple videos on certain days. That means shooting multiple videos in a few hours. I'll swap tops so it looks varied. Advice: Keep several shirts ready for outfit changes. My neighbors must think I'm insane, talking to my camera in the parking lot.
3:00pm: Pickup time. Back to parenting. But here's the thing—often my viral videos come from these after-school moments. Last week, my daughter had a full tantrum in Target because I refused to get a $40 toy. I recorded in the Target parking lot afterward about managing big emotions as a solo parent. It got over 2 million views.
Evening: Dinner, homework, bath time, bedtime routines. I'm generally wiped out to create content, but I'll plan posts, reply to messages, or outline content. Some nights, after everyone's sleeping, I'll edit videos until midnight because a brand deadline is looming.
The truth? No such thing as balance. It's just managed chaos with random wins.
Income Breakdown: How I Support My Family
Alright, let's talk dollars because this is what everyone wants to know. Can you make a living as a content creator? 100%. Is it straightforward? Hell no.
My first month, I made nothing. Month two? $0. Month three, I got my first sponsored post—$150 to feature a meal box. I cried real tears. That one-fifty covered food.
Today, years later, here's how I make money:
Sponsored Content: This is my biggest income source. I work with brands that fit my niche—things that help, helpful services, family items. I bill anywhere from five hundred to several thousand per campaign, depending on what they need. Last month, I did four partnerships and made eight thousand dollars.
Platform Payments: Creator fund pays basically nothing—maybe $200-400 per month for massive numbers. YouTube revenue is better. I make about $1,500 monthly from YouTube, but that took forever.
Affiliate Marketing: I share links to products I actually use—everything from my beloved coffee maker to the kids' beds. If anyone buys, I get a commission. This brings in about $1K monthly.
Info Products: I created a budget template and a food prep planner. They're $15 each, and I sell fifty to a hundred per month. That's another thousand to fifteen hundred.
Consulting Services: Other aspiring creators pay me to show them how. I offer one-on-one coaching sessions for $200 hourly. I do about 5-10 a month.
Total monthly income: Most months, I'm a full explanation making $10,000-15,000 per month now. Some months are higher, others are slower. It's inconsistent, which is terrifying when you're the only income source. But it's triple what I made at my previous job, and I'm available for my kids.
The Struggles Nobody Posts About
This sounds easy until you're crying in your car because a post tanked, or managing nasty DMs from internet trolls.
The negativity is intense. I've been called a bad mom, told I'm problematic, accused of lying about being a single mom. I'll never forget, "I'd leave too." That one stuck with me.
The platform changes. One month you're getting viral hits. Then suddenly, you're lucky to break 1,000. Your income fluctuates. You're always on, always "on", scared to stop, you'll fall behind.
The guilt is crushing beyond normal. Every upload, I wonder: Is this too much? Are my kids safe? Will they resent this when they're teenagers? I have firm rules—no faces of my kids without permission, keeping their stories private, no embarrassing content. But the line is not always clear.
The burnout hits hard. Some weeks when I am empty. When I'm done, talked out, and at my limit. But the mortgage is due. So I create anyway.
The Unexpected Blessings
But the truth is—despite the hard parts, this journey has created things I never imagined.
Financial freedom for the first time in my life. I'm not wealthy, but I paid off $18,000 in debt. I have an safety net. We took a real vacation last summer—the Mouse House, which I never thought possible a couple years back. I don't stress about my account anymore.
Time freedom that's priceless. When my kid was ill last month, I didn't have to use PTO or panic. I worked anywhere. When there's a class party, I attend. I'm available in ways I wasn't with a traditional 9-5.
Connection that saved me. The other creators I've connected with, especially solo parents, have become my people. We support each other, collaborate, lift each other up. My followers have become this incredible cheerleading squad. They support me, send love, and show me I'm not alone.
Something that's mine. After years, I have something that's mine. I'm not defined by divorce or only a parent. I'm a content creator. A businesswoman. Someone who built something from nothing.
My Best Tips
If you're a single mother considering content creation, here's what I'd tell you:
Begin now. Your first videos will suck. Mine did. It's fine. You improve over time, not by procrastinating.
Be yourself. People can sense inauthenticity. Share your actual life—the unfiltered truth. That's what works.
Guard their privacy. Establish boundaries. Have standards. Their privacy is non-negotiable. I never share their names, protect their faces, and respect their dignity.
Build multiple income streams. Spread it out or one way to earn. The algorithm is unstable. More streams = less stress.
Batch create content. When you have free time, make a bunch. Tomorrow you will thank present you when you're burnt out.
Build community. Engage. Reply to messages. Be real with them. Your community is everything.
Analyze performance. Some content isn't worth it. If something takes forever and tanks while something else takes minutes and goes viral, adjust your strategy.
Don't forget yourself. You can't pour from an empty cup. Rest. Protect your peace. Your health matters most.
This takes time. This isn't a get-rich-quick scheme. It took me months to make meaningful money. Year one, I made maybe $15,000 total. Year 2, eighty grand. Year three, I'm hitting six figures. It's a process.
Remember why you started. On difficult days—and trust me, there will be—recall your purpose. For me, it's money, flexibility with my kids, and showing myself that I'm capable of more than I thought possible.
The Honest Truth
Listen, I'm not going to sugarcoat this. This life is difficult. Really hard. You're basically running a business while being the only parent of children who require constant attention.
Many days I second-guess this. Days when the hate comments affect me. Days when I'm exhausted and stressed and questioning if I should just get a "normal" job with stability.
But then suddenly my daughter mentions she appreciates this. Or I look at my savings. Or I see a message from a follower saying my content inspired her. And I remember why I do this.
The Future
Not long ago, I was broke, scared, and had no idea how to survive. Today, I'm a content creator making more than I imagined in traditional work, and I'm available when they need me.
My goals moving forward? Hit 500,000 followers by end of year. Launch a podcast for single moms. Write a book eventually. Keep growing this business that gives me freedom, flexibility, and financial stability.
This path gave me a second chance when I needed it most. It gave me a way to provide for my family, show up, and accomplish something incredible. It's not the path I expected, but it's where I belong.
To all the single moms wondering if you can do this: Hell yes you can. It won't be easy. You'll struggle. But you're already doing the hardest job—single parenting. You're stronger than you think.
Start messy. Keep showing up. Guard your peace. And don't forget, you're beyond survival mode—you're creating something amazing.
Gotta go now, I need to go film a TikTok about homework I forgot about and I'm just now hearing about it. Because that's how it goes—making content from chaos, one TikTok at a time.
Seriously. This life? It's the best decision. Even though there's probably old snacks in my keyboard. Living the dream, imperfectly perfect.